Treatment Product...I have been reading up on alot of posts that seem to tell me that people are unsatisfied with the results they get from treatment products. It seems that most people complain about protein treatments, and the reason they complain is because they do not see immediate results and because they misunderstand the product. So now I'm going to explain, I'm really tired of hearing people say "this doesn't work" when people do not realize what the product is for and how to properly use it.
First and foremost you need to know what kind of treatment products your hair needs, I find that too many people do not really understand what their hair needs. Again if you have read any of my posts you will see that I recommend sitting down with your stylist and talking about it. It's really easy to bring up the conversation, simply ask your stylist what your hair's problem areas are and what he or she think that your hair needs. Always ask why, so if your stylist says your hair needs protein ask why, he or she should be able to give you a legitimate answer and not simply because it lacks protein, if that is the answer ask how is it that you can tell. For people with naturally curly hair, I find to often they think their hair is damaged, in fact it's not damaged just because it's frizzy and voluminous! What frizzy and naturally curly hair tends to need is more moisture. Curly hair tends to have an abundance of strength and a lack of moisture.

FYI - Hair needs to have a balance of protein and moisture in order for it to look and feel it's best inside and out. Too much of one is not a good thing, and problems will develop if the hair lacks one of the two or has an excess of one!

Once you and your stylist have determined what your hair needs he or she should suggest a product for you to use at home, and they should explain to you how to use the product and why they recommend the product. You can even ask the stylist if they have used it and what they think about it. A good stylist will be honest about the products they are offering to you, if they really feel that a product they do not carry in the salon is better than what they carry then the stylist will be more than happy to tell you. Either way you can buy the products where ever you like. Products should be professional salon brands, not drug store stuff - the best costs more!

Now to explain the treatments, first I'm going to discuss protein treatments since most people do not really seem to understand them or how to use them. First and foremost I should inform you that you should not use a protein treatment more than once a week. Why? because too much protein in the hair will cause an imbalance and can make the hair feel brittle and dry. What protein treatments do is restore protein to the hair.....simple isn't it? Now there are many types of protein that the hair is made of, when buying a protein treatment look for "Hair Keratin Amino Acids" This is a key ingredient I'll explain what this is: (be prepared for this one)
Keratin is made up of polypeptide chains, which when broken down becomes individual amino acids. To put this in laymans term amino acids are part of keratin which is hair protein.
There are other ingredients that vary from product to product and if you wish you can look them up on the web, I cannot possibly go into detail about all of them because I am familiar with a limited amount of products. There should also be other vitamin complexes in the protein treatment. This is complicated stuff I know that, and that is why I ask that you talk to your stylist (by the way when I speak of stylist in this post I am including colour and chemical technicians, whomever you feel understands your hair best you can ask) he or she can help you make these decisions.
Now on to moisturizing treatments, these also should be used weekly because to much moisture is not good for your hair, again hair needs a balance of both moisture and protein. Most moisturizing treatments have alot of vitamins in them and ingredients that help soften the hair and add moisture to it. They also help add shine to the hair. Again it's important to talk to your stylist who can help you choose the best one. As for ingredients they vary from product to product.
Protein TreatmentsDo what?strengthen the hair
Use especially... after chemical services, such as colour and chemical relaxers or perms.
They should also be used sparingly (once or twice a month is sufficient) if you heat style your hair often. (blow-dry, irons, curlers)
Key ingedient? "hair keratin amino acids" Bedhead's Chocolate Head contains this key ingredient.
How often? Once a week maximum.

Moisturzing TreatmensDo what? Repenish moisture in the hair that
Use... once or twice a month, if you have had a chemical service it is recommended that you restore the protein first, so possibly try to find a moisturizing conditioner. Chemical services tend to reduce protein, and it is important to restore that back first. But do use moisturizing treatments once or twice a month.
How often? Once a week is enough

What to expect as with any product people need to find the right product for their hair. What really gets to me is that alot of people use the products and say that it did not work for them, this tends to be more of a problem with protein treatments. Firstly you need to understand that you may not notice much of a difference cosmetically (for protein treatments), they are meant to strengthen the hair, and the protein treatment penetrates into the hair (the cortex) and repairs the hair there. You should notice that the hair gradually gets stronger (after a chemical service) you will also notice less breakage and split ends. It will not prevent split ends however! Moisturizing treatments tend to give hair shine and lusture, however protein treatments can aid in adding shine and lusture.

Hopefully you have understood the difference between the two and what to expect. If you are still confused about anything or need some more information feel free to e-mail me, I'd be glad to help you. As clients we need to educate ourselves on what is out there and what our hair needs and we need our stylists to help us understand our hair's needs and we need their opinions on products that will help give us the hair we so long for. As stylists you need to be open and honest towards your clients about the types of products he or she needs and what really works, you need to teach them how to use products and give honest opinions about the products.